Carlos Queiroz has taken full responsibility for Ghana’s damaging 4-2 defeat to Gambia, apologising to supporters after the Black Stars surrendered a two-goal lead in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana appeared to be on course for a much-needed victory after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half. However, four unanswered goals from Gambia turned the match around and left the home crowd stunned.
The defeat followed Ghana’s opening 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké, leaving the Black Stars without a point from their first two Group C matches. For Queiroz, the result was another indication that the problems affecting the national team extend beyond a single performance.
Speaking at a Ghana Football Association press conference after the match, the Portuguese coach apologised to fans and urged them to direct their criticism towards him rather than the players.
Queiroz Apologises and Accepts Responsibility
Queiroz made no attempt to avoid accountability after Ghana’s collapse, acknowledging the disappointment caused by the result and accepting responsibility for the team’s performance.
“To all Ghanaian fans, we deeply regret this result, and we apologise for that,” he said.
“I take the responsibility for this result. Please leave the players, because it’s not their responsibility. They tried their best. Of course we make mistakes. But if we have to blame the result, please do it with me.”
The coach’s comments came after Ghana had allowed a commanding position to slip away in front of their own supporters. His appeal for fans to protect the players from criticism reflected his view that the responsibility for the outcome rested with the technical leadership.
Queiroz acknowledged that mistakes had been made but insisted that the players had given their best effort. He instead called for scrutiny of his own decisions and the wider issues surrounding the national team.
Ghana’s Two-Goal Lead Turns into a Defeat
The Black Stars began the match with urgency as they looked to recover from their opening defeat to Côte d’Ivoire.
Ernest Nuamah opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 27th minute before Felix Afena-Gyan doubled Ghana’s advantage with a well-taken free-kick six minutes later.
At 2-0, Ghana appeared to have the match under control. But Gambia responded before the interval, with Muhammed Badamosi converting a penalty in the 37th minute and Omar Colley scoring the equaliser in the 42nd.
The teams went into half-time level at 2-2, and Ghana were unable to regain control after the restart.
Despite enjoying 74 per cent possession, the Black Stars struggled to turn their control of the ball into clear attacking opportunities. Gambia were more clinical, taking advantage of Ghana’s defensive errors to seize the lead.
Ebrima Colley scored in the 68th minute following a defensive mistake involving captain Gideon Mensah, before adding another goal in stoppage time to complete the 4-2 victory.
The result was reported as Gambia’s first win over Ghana in 33 years and the first time the Black Stars had conceded four goals in an AFCON qualifier.
Queiroz Says Ghana’s Problems Run Deeper
The Portuguese coach also stressed that Ghana’s difficulties did not begin with the defeat to Gambia.
Queiroz pointed to the team’s run of eight matches without a win, arguing that the situation requires a broader review rather than focusing only on the latest result.
“It is the game number eight. So this issue doesn’t start today, doesn’t start yesterday,” he said.
“The last time Ghana won one game was eight games ago. So we have to start to think about that. There are a lot of things that the Ghana national team have to review.”
His comments suggest that the coaching staff will need to examine several aspects of the team’s performances, including its defensive organisation, consistency and ability to manage matches.
The back-to-back defeats in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers have increased the pressure on Ghana, particularly after the team failed to qualify for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
Absentees Add to Ghana’s Difficulties
Ghana were also without several regular players for the match against Gambia, including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew and Nathaniel Adjei.
Their absence limited the options available to Queiroz as he prepared the squad for a crucial home fixture.
Before kickoff, the coach had called on supporters to back the players who were available rather than focus on those missing from the squad. However, the scale of the defeat has intensified questions about the team’s depth and its ability to cope when key players are unavailable.
Although injuries and absences formed part of the match context, Ghana’s inability to protect a 2-0 lead will remain a central concern for the coaching staff.
The Black Stars conceded twice in the closing stages of the first half and twice more after the break, allowing Gambia to turn the game around despite having less possession.
A Difficult Return for Queiroz
Queiroz returned to the Ghana job this month, two months after stepping down following the country’s World Cup exit.
The Ghana Football Association brought him back for the qualifying window, with his experience and familiarity with the squad among the factors behind the decision.
However, his return has begun with two defeats in two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches. Ghana have conceded six goals and are yet to register a point in Group C.
The coach now faces the challenge of rebuilding confidence and addressing the issues that have contributed to the team’s poor run of results.
His public acceptance of responsibility may reassure some supporters that he recognises the seriousness of the situation, but the next performances will be crucial in determining whether Ghana can make progress.
Ghana Bottom of Group C After Two Defeats
The loss to Gambia leaves Ghana at the bottom of Group C with zero points from two matches, while Gambia have moved to six points.
The standings place the Black Stars under immediate pressure as they attempt to revive their qualification campaign. With more fixtures still to come, Ghana retain an opportunity to recover, but their margin for error has narrowed.
The next opportunity will come next month, when Ghana face Somalia in a double-header. Those matches will provide Queiroz and his players with a chance to collect points and begin repairing the damage caused by their opening results.
Ghana will need to improve defensively and show greater control when protecting leads. The defeat in Accra demonstrated how quickly a promising position can disappear when a team loses its organisation and fails to manage key moments.
Somalia Double-Header Offers a Chance to Respond
The upcoming matches against Somalia will be important for both Ghana’s qualification hopes and the team’s confidence.
Queiroz will have time to review the performance against Gambia, assess the available players and work on the problems that have repeatedly affected the Black Stars.
The coach has already made his position clear: he accepts responsibility for the result and wants the players to be spared from bearing the full weight of the criticism.
But Ghana’s response will ultimately need to come on the pitch. The Black Stars must turn the lessons from their defeat into a more disciplined and effective performance when they return to qualifying action.
For now, the picture from Accra is difficult for Ghana to accept. They led Gambia 2-0 at home, conceded four unanswered goals and left the stadium without a point.
Queiroz has taken the blame. The next challenge is to find a response that can bring Ghana’s AFCON qualifying campaign back on track.
Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer AL Media Sports, the sports division of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, content and video production, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.